Monthly Archives: February 2018

Aussie court junks landmark pokies case vs. Crown, Aristocrat

Australian casino mogul James Packer can now sleep soundly after a federal court cleared Crown Resorts Ltd. and slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. of misleading gamblers on their chances of winning.

On Friday, Federal Court Judge Debra Mortimer threw out the landmark case that Shonica Guy filed against Crown and Aristocrat on grounds that the former gambler failed to prove the defendant’s misleading or unconscionable conduct, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

In her lawsuit, Guy said she suffered significant financial losses playing the “Dolphin Treasure” poker machine over the past 14 years because the machines “deliberately give people false hope that they have a chance of winning to keep them playing.”

Law firm Maurice Blackburn, which represented Guy, particularly blamed the pokies machine’s oversized fifth reel, which contains 44 symbols rather than the 30 featured on the first four reels. They argued that the design features amounted to deception that no reasonable player would be aware of.

Daniel Negreanu’s so sure of his ability, he’s betting on it

Poker players know how important it is to have confidence at the tables. In its absence, doubts about how to play a hand, second guesses and stumbles are bound to happen, almost certainly resulting in being sent to the rail. Well-known poker pro Daniel Negreanu is so confident in his game this year that he’s placed a wager on himself.

Kid Poker has made a $50,000 bet that he’d win the US Poker Open trophy. So far, Bryn Kenney has accepted the challenge, and others, like Poker Brat Phil Hellmuth, might follow suit. Hellmuth declined previous attempts to be baited into side bets, but he’ll more than likely cave at some point.

The Canadian poker wizard made a similar bet last fall just before the Poker Masters series. Twenty players jumped in, but Negreanu wasn’t able to capitalize on his prior success. Instead of picking up $1 million, he ended up having to open his wallet to make good on the bet.

At 43 years of age, Negreanu is now a household name in the poker world. He has six WSOP bracelets out of 36 final table appearances and two WPT titles from nine finals. To date, he’s racked up almost $36 million in live action and is first on both the Canada All Time Money List, as well as the All Time Money List.

Kevin Hart launches ‘How To Play Poker’ series

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart has shown up at high roller tournaments here and there for the past year, providing a necessary element of comic relief to help keep the stress levels down. Now, the comedian has teamed up with PokerStars to launch a series of videos centered on improving playing strategies. As is to be expected, the videos aren’t going to be sleepers, and will deliver poker education with an entertainment twist.

Instead of getting Ben Stein as the boring economics teacher from ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’ Hart’s natural comic talent keeps viewers awake and paying attention. The series covers many facets of the poker experience, from how to avoid showing tells to learning how to bluff. Despite not being very in-depth, they provide enough information to help young players fine tune their game.

The videos are short and to the point, giving a consolidated training lesson to viewers. The series is currently available on PokerStars‘ YouTube channel, with new videos to be added. His first video on poker etiquette and second video covering poker faces were both uploaded about a week ago, and have been seen by more than 12,000 viewers.

Hart should have probably gone through a little more training himself before playing in a recent high stakes game. On January 21, he participated in the PokerStars Championship game and ended up in a showdown with Mila Munroe during one particular hand. Holding what he thought was a straight, he was all smiles to take the pot. The problem was, it wasn’t a straight. It wasn’t anything.

BitStarz starts accepting Bitcoin Cash

Another day, another notch on the belt for Bitcoin Cash (BCH).

The popular cryptocurrency has now been added to the list of acceptable digital currency by BitStarz Casino, the gambling platform that offers both real-money and free-to-play gambling options. The move marks another first for the site that opened its doors last year.

BitStarz has joined the growing list of platforms that accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The site already accepts deposits through standard currencies as well as legacy Bitcoin or SegWit1x (BTC). The acceptance of cryptocurrencies is a continued push by the poker platform to appeal to a wide range of gamblers from all around the globe.

The fact that BitStarz moved so quickly to accept BCH, which was recently picked up on Coinbase, shows the rapidly growing popularity of the coin. BCH has only been around for a few months, but its increased block size and lower transaction fees are driving forces behind its expansive growth. BCH, considered as the true remaining Bitcoin as intended by the Satoshi Nakamoto white paper, currently leads the race among digital currencies wishing to become a true competitor against both PayPal and Visa for making payments.

Wazdan launch Magic Target Deluxe and Fruit Mania Deluxe in the run-up to ICE

February 2, 2018 – Malta-based Wazdan, the major casino games producer with products covering slots, table games and video poker has continued with their hefty release programme in 2018 with two new titles that are sure to be a hit with operators, Magic Target Deluxe and Fruit Mania Deluxe. During 2018 alone, Wazdan has released 10 new games and will be focusing on hosting a range of activities on their stand at ICE, including the launch of their new ‘Volatility Beers’ created in conjunction with passionate British brewers that highlight Wazdan’s world’s-first ‘Volatility Level’.

Recent new game releases from Wazdan include Dracula’s Castle, Tetri Mania Deluxe, Fruit Fiesta, Mystery Jack Deluxe, Book of Magic Deluxe, Magic Fruits 4 Deluxe, Magic Hot 4 Deluxe, Magic Target Deluxe, Fenix Play Deluxe and Magic Fruits Deluxe to name just a few, which join established titles such as Wild Guns and Valhalla, which are very popular with players and casinos alike. During 2017 Wazdan beefed-up their portfolio with 18 new games and 2018 continues that momentum. Upcoming titles include Los Muertos, Mayan Ritual and Captain Flynt, among others.

Wazdan uses HTML5 technology which allows it to create high-quality games with impressive animations covering complex themes that run seamlessly on mobile, tablets and desktops. Magic Target Deluxe is a good example of this, a 5-reel video slot that mixes the classic aesthetic of retro fruit machines with the fun and fanfare of the circus. Players use a cannon to blast their bets for a top prize of up to 500 times and winnings sometimes literally explode with a round of free spins.

Fruit Mania Deluxe is a 9-reel online slots game packed with player entertainment that enhances the player’s experience significantly including bonus rounds, free spins, instant play and autoplay. Fruit Mania Deluxe’s game design includes masterful graphics that contain lotto tickets, diamonds, bronze, gold and Vegas signs. The more symbols that appear the higher the payouts, including a win of up to 1000 times the bet.

Trustly looks to expand its Pay N Play product at ICE following proven success

STOCKHOLM, February 2, 2018 — After pioneering the frictionless player registration concept powering Global Gaming’s Ninja Casino, Trustly’s Pay N Play product proves to be an industry success.

Pay N Play was the first product on the market to streamline the gaming sign-up process while still helping operators to stay compliant. Signing up for an account on a gaming site has traditionally required players to fill out a lengthy registration form and endure a burdensome verification process, typically involving submitting copies of passports and utility bills to the merchant.

With Pay N Play, players can start playing their favorite games right away simply by making a deposit via their online bank. As part of the flow, Trustly passes on player data to the operator, thus simplifying the registration process. At the same time, operators stay KYC-compliant by ensuring they have the necessary player details.

According to Trustly’s internal data of early merchants, Pay N Play operators see on average 44% more deposits per user than those that don’t offer Pay N Play.

Fried reveals the secrets of Neuron Gaming platform, soon to be showcased at ICE – Interview with Alessandro Fried

FRIED REVEALS THE SECRETS OF NEURON GAMING PLATFORM, SOON TO BE SHOWCASED AT ICE

Today, competition in iGaming is fiercer and customers are becoming far more tech and online savvy, aware and critical of bad products, HOW CAN AN OPERATOR DIFFERENTIATE HIS OFFER FROM THE COMPETITION? 

Alessandro Fried: It is vital for licensees to ensure the strength and recognizability of their brand and – at the same time – of their brand’s offers and differentiation from the crowd. To do this, a ‘quality jump’ towards flexibility and technology is the only way to go. Consequently, from the myriad of platforms on the market, it is essential to discern the one that best suits operator’s needs.

To confirm a strong and brilliant brand identity and exclusivity of offers, operators need a stable, open, advanced, flexible, scalable platform, tailored for Gaming, proposing scalable solutions for any channel, any jurisdiction and any business model. 

Magnet Gaming hunts for further growth with iforium deal

Supplier’s full suite of slots titles made available to casino content aggregator

London, 2nd Feburary, 2017 – Leading slots provider Magnet Gaming has agreed a deal to supply its full suite of content to casino aggregator Iforium via its Gameflex platform.

The aggregator and its network of operators will have full access to the specialist provider’s full suite of titles, as it bids to further its growth in the industry.

The partnership will see new releases such as Treasure Coast and Haunted House made available by the Danish provider, as well as classic titles like Fish Tank and Gold Rush.

Politico: MGM cock-blocking Connecticut’s third tribal casino

Connecticut’s third tribal casino will start construction later this month, despite federal “obfuscation” by rival MGM Resorts.

On Thursday, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) chairman Kevin Brown told investors that his company and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe planned to commence demolition this month of the old cinema that currently sits on the site of the two tribes’ proposed joint venture casino project in East Windsor.

The MMCT Venture’s plan to build the $300m casino off tribal land in the northern part of the state has been stymied by MGM, which wants to build its own Connecticut casino in Bridgeport. The East Windsor casino is intended to cater to Connecticut gamblers who might otherwise head further north to MGM Springfield, the $960m venue set to open in Massachusetts in September.

MMCT has also had to deal with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which has yet to approve the tribes’ amended gaming compact with the state, despite the expiration of the 45-day window in which the BIA is required to respond to such requests. In December, the tribes and the state sued the US Department of the Interior (DOI) and its Secretary Ryan Zinke over this delay.

Bangkok to host Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Thailand for the first time

March 6, 2018, Bangkok will host a major international conference dedicated to blockchain, cryptocurrencies and ICOs – Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Thailand.

The conference is aimed at cryptocurrency investors, blockchain startup representatives, developers, marketing specialists, lawmakers, lawyers, financial experts and advisors engaged in the cryptocurrency and ICO sector.

Participants will discover the current condition of the cryptocurrency market, blockchain trends, ICO aspects and investments in tokens.

The conference will reveal the following issues:

The dying of the light: Timex for a change

Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald writes an ode to poker on his Facebook page reminding us all of the need to shift a butt cheek or two and explore what life has to offer in a retirement speech that’s not a retirement.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Dylan Thomas, I think?

It’s a line that comes into my head as I speed along the Great Western between London Paddington and Cardiff. I’m sure there are plenty of Welsh on the train. I’ll ask someone.

Calling the Clock: Sponsored pros; Online tours; TV dinners

Another round-up of poker news including the coming and going of sponsored pros, online festivals and new TV deals.

I want to start with PokerStars and the decision not to renew the contract of Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier. Yes, that happened this week. The Frenchman was on a pretty good, pre-Isai Scheinberg deal, and PokerStars had a difficult choice to make.

Out came the lighter.

The soul of that once opulent contract now sits in a fireplace somewhere.

Kangwon Land casino floor to shut two hours earlier

South Korea’s Kangwon Land casino plans to close two hours earlier each morning to help the embattled operation stay in the government’s good books.

Late last year, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ordered Kangwon Land – the only casino at which South Korean citizens are legally permitted to gamble – to reduce access to its casino floor from 20 hours per day to 18 hours.

On Thursday, Kangwon Land announced that its casino floor would now shut down at 4am instead of 6am. The casino will reopen to guests at its usual time of 10am. The change is set to take effect on April 1, which many gamblers will likely view as a rather unfunny April Fools’ prank.

As the only casino where locals are permitted, Kangwon Land has enjoyed revenue that (until recently, at least) outstrips the combined tally of the rest of the nation’s casinos. However, this unique selling point has also brought enhanced scrutiny of the casino’s effect on locals’ problem gambling behavior, making the casino a convenient whipping boy for headline-hungry politicians.

EPL review week 25: Arsenal & Chelsea stutter; Spurs take advantage

Week 25 of the English Premier League sees Spurs become a serious contender for a Champions League spot after beating Man Utd. Arsenal and Chelsea both suffer unlikely defeats. 

Man City 3 v 0 WBA 

West Brom remains rooted at the foot of the table after a predictable hammering at The Etihad. The Baggies were the anvil, City’s forward line the hammer. Alan Pardew knows his team is not going to go down based on defeats against the best sides in the world, but he will be worried about the way his team failed to advance beyond the halfway line.

The Baggies didn’t touch the ball in the City box in the entirety of the first half and Liverpool loanee, Daniel Sturridge, was the only West Brom player to have a shot on goal and that came with time running out. If Pardew is to avoid the drop, you sense Sturridge will play a key role.

Australian online bookie Neds launch Bitcoin betting platform

Australia’s newest online bookmaker Neds is braving new ground by launching the country’s first Bitcoin-based betting platform.

On Thursday, Neds CEO Paul Cherry announced that the operator would launch its new in-house developed cryptocurrency-based betting site on Friday. Initially, the site will be limited to Bitcoin betting only, but plans are to add other cryptocurrencies later this year should sufficient demand arise.

Cherry (pictured) told the Australian Associated Press that the platform would accept deposits and pay out winnings in Bitcoin, with no option to convert deposits to fiat. Odds will appear identical to those on Neds’ main betting site, but wagers will be handled in milli-Bitcoins (one-thousandth of a Bitcoin).

Cherry explained that the recent Bitcoin buying frenzy provided at least some of the impetus behind the new crypto-betting platform, suggesting that many of the “non-sophisticated investors” who bought Bitcoins “are probably wondering what to do with them.”